Wearing information notifying unit

ABSTRACT

When a user wears a headset ( 12 ), a small display ( 107 ) is provided in front of an eye of the user. A main component ( 11 ) communicates with an external device to receive information, such as an electronic mail. The main component ( 11 ) extracts a portion of the received information, e.g., data about a sender, and transmits the extracted portion to a headset ( 12 ). The headset ( 12 ) displays the received information on the small display ( 107 ).

This application is a 371 of PCT/JP02/12397, filed Nov. 27, 2002.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a wearable information notifying devicewhich is designed to be wearable for a user and which can notify theuser of information, e.g., information about arrival of a mail, etc.,without imposing a burden on the user.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, transmission/reception of mails, distribution ofelectronic newspapers, and the like, have been actively carried outusing mobile terminals. When certain information is distributed to amobile terminal of a user, the user is notified about it by an arrivalsound or vibration even during the time when the user is enjoying a chatwith another person in an actual world or even when the user is in themidst of an important business meeting. The notified user can take outthe mobile terminal to check the content of the distributed information.

However, if the user hears an arrival sound in the midst of aconversation with a person and takes out his/her mobile terminal tocheck the content of the distributed information, such a mannersometimes makes the person uncomfortable. If an arrival sound is emittedduring an important meeting, the user needs to take out a mobileterminal in order to check the content of a mail even though the mail isnot important, and such labor troubles the user. Although suchtroublesome labor may be removed by assigning different arrival soundsto different mail senders, such a method is not much effective becauseit is still necessary to take out the mobile terminal in order to checkthe content of the information.

One possible method for solving the above problem is to fixedly providea small display in front of an eye of the user and display informationon the small display when a mail, or the like, is arrived. With such amethod, the user can confirm information about arrival of a mail withoutbeing noticed by other people.

Patent Publication 1 discloses a goggle-type headset which has a smalldisplay. Patent Publication 2 discloses a technique of displayingreceived information on a small display worn by a user.

(Patent Publication 1) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.10-322624

(Patent Publication 2) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.2001-101096

Problems to be Solved

However, a small display which can be fixedly provided in front of aneye generally has poor display performance, i.e., is not suitable fordisplay of a large amount of information. Furthermore, in the case wherea small display is actually used, it is difficult for a user toinstantly recognize displayed information because of the nature of humaneyes.

An objective of the present invention, which is established in view ofthe above problems, is to provide received information in such a mannerthat a user can instantly determine the degree of importance of thereceived information in a wearable information notifying deviceincluding a headset which has a small display that can be provided infront of an eye of a wearer.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

A wearable information notifying device of the present inventionincludes: a headset having a small display which can be provided infront of an eye of a wearer; an information reception section forcommunicating with an external device to receive information; and aninformation extraction section for extracting a portion of theinformation received by the information reception section which is to bedisplayed on the small display.

With such a structure, a portion of the information received by theinformation reception section, which is extracted by the informationextraction section, is displayed on the small display provided in frontof the eye of the wearer. Thus, the user can instantly perceive thecontent of the information without being noticed by other people beforethe user confirms the entire information.

The wearable information notifying device of the present inventionpreferably includes a display for displaying the information received bythe information reception section.

The wearable information notifying device of the present inventionpreferably includes: a transmission section for transmitting an outputof the information extraction section by wireless; and a receptionsection for receiving a transmission from the transmission section tooutput the received transmission to the small display.

The information extraction section of the wearable information notifyingdevice of the present invention preferably extracts information about asender of the information received by the information reception section.

The information extraction section of the wearable information notifyingdevice of the present invention preferably extracts information aboutthe degree of importance of the information received by the informationreception section.

The information extraction section of the wearable information notifyingdevice of the present invention preferably extracts a keyword picked upfrom a sentence included in the information received by the informationreception section.

Further, the information extraction section preferably outputs theextracted information together with predetermined color informationadded thereto.

The information extraction section of the wearable information notifyingdevice of the present invention preferably extracts color classificationinformation which is set for a character string included in theinformation received by the information reception section.

In the wearable information notifying device of the present invention,the headset preferably includes an earphone, and the wearableinformation notifying device preferably includes a sound notifyingsection for outputting a sound signal to the earphone based on theinformation output from the information extraction section.

In the wearable information notifying device of the present invention,the headset preferably includes a vibrating section for providing avibration, and the wearable information notifying device preferablyincludes a vibratory notification section for outputting a vibrationsignal to the vibrating section based on the information output from theinformation extraction section.

The headset of the wearable information notifying device of the presentinvention preferably includes a display control section for controllingthe display mode of the small display according to a given controlsignal.

The display control section preferably controls the brightness of thesmall display or controls whether or not to perform display on the smalldisplay.

The wearable information notifying device preferably includes anenvironment detection section for detecting an environmental statearound the headset and supplying the control signal to the displaycontrol section according to the detected environmental state. Further,the environment detection section preferably detects the brightness ofsurroundings as the environmental state.

The wearable information notifying device preferably includes anenvironmental information reception section for receiving environmentalinformation which represents an environmental state around the headsetand supplying the control signal to the display control sectionaccording to the received environmental information. Further, theenvironmental information reception section preferably receives thevelocity of a car driven by the human as the environmental information.

The headset of the wearable information notifying device of the presentinvention preferably includes a driving mechanism for shifting the smalldisplay between a position in front of the eye of the wearer and aposition not in front of the eye of the wearer, and a drive controlsection for controlling an operation of the driving mechanism based onthe information output from the information extraction section.

The wearable information notifying device includes an environmentalinformation reception section for receiving environmental informationwhich represents an environmental state around the headset and supplyingthe received environmental information to the drive control section,wherein the drive control section controls the operation of the drivingmechanism while additionally considering the environmental information.

A wearable information notifying device of the present inventionincludes: a headset having a small display which can be provided infront of an eye of a wearer; an information reproduction section forreproducing a media in which information is stored; and an informationextraction section for extracting a portion of the informationreproduced by the information reproduction section which is to bedisplayed on the small display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exterior of a wearable information notifying deviceaccording to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a user who wears the wearable information notifying deviceof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the wearable informationnotifying device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the wearable informationnotifying device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a display example which is obtained in embodiment 1.

FIG. 6 shows an exterior of a wearable information notifying deviceaccording to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a user who wears the wearable information notifying deviceof FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the wearable informationnotifying device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of the wearable informationnotifying device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 shows an exterior of a wearable information notifying deviceaccording to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a user who wears the wearable information notifying deviceof FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the wearable informationnotifying device of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of the wearable informationnotifying device of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 shows an exterior of a wearable information notifying deviceaccording to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a user who wears the wearable information notifying deviceof FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of the wearable informationnotifying device of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation of the wearable informationnotifying device of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a display example which is obtained in embodiment 4.

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram of a wearable informationnotifying device according to embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram of a wearable informationnotifying device according to embodiment 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an example of a table stored in a display control section inFIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a functional block diagram of another example of the wearableinformation notifying device according to embodiment 6 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 23 shows an exterior of a headset which has a driving mechanism.

FIG. 24 is a functional block diagram of a wearable informationnotifying device which includes the headset of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 shows an exterior of a headset which has a slide mechanism.

FIG. 26 is a functional block diagram showing a structure of a wearableinformation notifying device according to embodiment 7 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 27 is a display example of a small display in the wearableinformation notifying device of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a functional block diagram of another example of the wearableinformation notifying device according to embodiment 7 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 29 shows an exterior of a small display according to embodiment 8of the present invention, to which fixing means is attached.

FIG. 30 shows an exterior of a headset according to embodiment 8 of thepresent invention, which uses a vertical supporting bar.

FIG. 31 shows an exterior of a headset according to embodiment 9 of thepresent invention.

FIG. 32 shows a user who wears a wearable information notifying deviceincluding the headset of FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a functional block diagram of a wearable informationnotifying device including the headset of FIG. 31.

FIG. 34 shows display examples of a small display of the wearableinformation notifying device of FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 shows an example of image capturing which is performed using theheadset of FIG. 31.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)

FIG. 1 shows an exterior of a wearable information notifying deviceaccording to embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, referencenumeral 11 denotes a main component which communicates with an externaldevice to receive information, and reference numeral 12 denotes aheadset which is to be worn by a user. The main component 11 has a largedisplay 108 having a size similar to that of a cellular phone, or thelike. The headset 12 has a shape such that it is attached substantiallyhorizontally at the head of the user by a flexible headband (Katyusha).The headset 12 has a small display 107 at one end of the headband.

FIG. 2 shows a user who wears the wearable information notifying deviceof FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, part (a) is a side view, and part (b) is a frontview. When the user wears the headset 12, the small display 107 isplaced in front of an eye of the wearer so as to be within the viewfield of the wearer. The main component 11 is held at a belt, in apocket, or the like, of the user.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the wearable informationnotifying device of FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 101 denotes aninformation reception section for communicating with an external deviceto receive information; reference numeral 102 denotes a control sectionfor controlling the information reception section; reference numeral 103denotes a manipulation section for receiving a manipulation of thecontrol section 102 from a user; reference numeral 104 denotes aninformation extraction section for extracting a part of the informationreceived by the information reception section 101 to be displayed on thesmall display 107; reference numeral 105 denotes a transmission sectionfor transmitting the information extracted by the information extractionsection 104 to the headset 12; and reference numeral 106 denotes areception section for receiving information from the main component 11.

An operation of the wearable information notifying device according tothis embodiment which has the above-described structure is describedwith reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4. Here, we consider a casewhere the information reception section 101 is connected to a wirelesspublic network and receives an electronic mail as externally suppliedinformation.

[Step S11]

The manipulation section 103 receives from a user a configuration inputconcerning particulars to be displayed on the small display 107. Theparticulars which can be input by the user include: selection of themail attribute to be displayed (“sender”, “title”, “degree ofimportance”, “keyword”); the condition for an attribute value of themail attribute to be displayed; the correspondence between the attributevalue of the mail attribute and the character color or background color;and the on/off of a flashing operation in the display. For example, theuser can determine the configuration such that: the “keyword” isdisplayed as the mail attribute; characters are displayed in “red” ifthe “keyword” includes “C”; and the display is carried out according tothe “flashing operation”. Alternatively, characters may be displayed in,for example, “green” when a mail from a specified user is received.Characters may be displayed in, for example, “blue” when an importantkeyword is included in the title or information. Characters may bedisplayed in, for example, “yellow” when a mail whose degree ofimportance is set by a sender is received. Still alternatively, thesender may designate the color of characters to be displayed.

[Step S12]

Based on the input at step S11, the control section 102 instructs theinformation reception section 101 to start receiving information andinstructs the information extraction section 104 about the mode forextracting information.

[Step S13]

The information reception section 101 communicates with an external mailserver (not shown) through the wireless public network at apredetermined time interval to receive a newly-arrived electronic mail.Then, the information reception section 101 stores the receivedelectronic mail and sends it to the information extraction section 104.

[Step S14]

Based on the input at step S11, the information extraction section 104extracts the sender, title, degree of importance, or keyword, from theinformation received by the information reception section 101, and sendsto the transmission section 105 a display signal including the extractedinformation and the display attributes concerning the display color andflashing operation.

[Step S15]

The transmission section 105 transmits the display signal extracted atstep S14 to the headset 12 by a short-distance wireless.

[Step S16]

The reception section 106 receives the display signal transmitted atstep S15 by a short-distance wireless.

[Step S17]

The reception section 106 reproduces the display signal received at stepS16 through the small display 107.

[Step S18]

The manipulation section 103 receives from the user an instruction todisplay on the large display 108 the mail received and stored at stepS13. If such an instruction is made within a predetermined time period,the process proceeds to step S19. If not, the process returns to stepS13.

[Step S19]

Based on the instruction received at step S18, the control section 102instructs the information reception section 101 to perform a display onthe large display 108.

[Step S1A]

The information reception section 101 displays on the large display 108a list of mails received and stored at step S13. When the list isdisplayed, the display can be changed to the content of a selected mail,and when the content of the selected mail is displayed, the display canbe changed to the list, by a manipulation of the user. If a manipulationof the user is not made within a predetermined time period, the displayshown on the large display 108 is deleted, and the process returns tostep S13.

FIG. 5 shows display examples of the small display 107 and the largedisplay 108 which result from the above-described operation. In FIG. 5,arrival of a mail and a mail attribute selected by the user (any of“sender”, “title”, “degree of importance”, and “keyword”) are displayedon the small display 107. Thereafter, a mail list and the content of amail are displayed on the large display 108 according to a manipulationof the user. Alternatively, only a color may be displayed on the smalldisplay, or the display may be flashed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, arrival of a mail anda portion of the content of the mail are displayed on the displayprovided in front of an eye of the user, whereby the user can benotified about arrival of the mail without taking out the maincomponent.

Furthermore, by using color information, the user can perceive generalmatters of the content of a received mail without carefully watching thesmall display.

In another possible application, when a user viewing information on thelarge display reads an important piece of information, informationindicating the degree of importance of the piece of information isdisplayed on the small display. That is, when the user carefullywatching the large display reaches an important piece of information,color information, or the like, is displayed on the small display,whereby the user's attention can be called to the piece of informationwhile keeping the user carefully watching the large display.

(Embodiment 2)

In embodiment 1 described above, information is notified using a smalldisplay, whereas in embodiment 2, information is further notified by asound using an earphone.

FIG. 6 shows an exterior of a wearable information notifying deviceaccording to this embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a user who wears the wearableinformation notifying device of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a functional blockdiagram of the wearable information notifying device of FIG. 6. In FIGS.6 through 8, like elements are denoted by like reference numerals usedin FIGS. 1 through 3 of embodiment 1, and therefore, detaileddescriptions thereof are herein omitted. Embodiment 2 is different fromembodiment 1 in that a headset 12A includes an earphone 201, which isput in the ear, and a sound notifying section 202 which outputs a soundsignal to the earphone 201 based on information output from theinformation extraction section 104.

An operation of the wearable information notifying device according tothis embodiment which has the above-described structure is describedwith reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9. Here also, we consider a casewhere the information reception section 101 is connected to a wirelesspublic network and receives an electronic mail as externally suppliedinformation, as described in embodiment 1.

[Step S21]

The manipulation section 103 receives from a user a configuration inputconcerning particulars to be displayed on the small display 107 and asound to be reproduced through the earphone 201. The particulars whichcan be input by the user include: selection of the mail attribute to bedisplayed (“sender”, “title”, “degree of importance”, “keyword”); thecondition for an attribute value of the mail attribute to be displayed;the correspondence between the attribute value of the mail attribute andthe character color or background color; and the on/off of a flashingoperation in the display; and additionally, the correspondence betweenthe attribute value of the mail attribute and the sound; and the settingof the volume or volume transition. For example, the user can determinethe configuration such that: the “keyword” is displayed as the mailattribute; characters are displayed in “red” if the “keyword” includes“C”; the display is carried out according to the “flashing operation”;and “effect sound H” is reproduced “at a gradually increasing volume”.

[Step S22]

Based on the input at step S21, the control section 102 instructs theinformation reception section 101 to start receiving information andinstructs the information extraction section 104 about the mode forextracting information.

[Step S23]

The information reception section 101 communicates with an external mailserver (not shown) through the wireless public network at apredetermined time interval to receive a newly-arrived electronic mail.Then, the information reception section 101 stores the receivedelectronic mail and sends it to the information extraction section 104.

[Step S24]

Based on the input at step S21, the information extraction section 104extracts the sender, title, degree of importance, or keyword, from theinformation received by the information reception section 101, and sendsto the transmission section 105 a display signal including the extractedinformation and the display attributes concerning the display color andflashing operation. Furthermore, the information extraction section 104selects from among a plurality of sounds previously stored in the maincomponent 11 a sound which is set so as to correspond to the extractedinformation, and sends the selected sound as a reproduction signal tothe transmission section 105.

[Step S25]

The transmission section 105 transmits the display signal andreproduction signal extracted at step S24 to the headset 12 by ashort-distance wireless.

[Step S26]

The reception section 106 receives the display signal and reproductionsignal transmitted at step S25 by a short-distance wireless.

[Step S27]

The reception section 106 reproduces the display signal received at stepS26 through the small display 107. Furthermore, the reception section106 sends the reproduction signal to the sound notifying section 202.

[Step S28]

The sound notifying section 202 reproduces the reproduction signalthrough the earphone 201.

[Step S29]

The manipulation section 103 receives from the user an instruction todisplay on the large display 108 the mail received and stored at stepS23. If such an instruction is made within a predetermined time period,the process proceeds to step S2A. If not, the process returns to stepS23.

[Step S2A]

Based on the instruction received at step S29, the control section 102instructs the information reception section 101 to perform a display onthe large display 108.

[Step S2B]

The information reception section 101 displays on the large display 108a list of mails received and stored at step S23. When the list isdisplayed, the display can be changed to the content of a selected mail,and when the content of the selected mail is displayed, the display canbe changed to the list, by a manipulation of the user. If a manipulationof the user is not made within a predetermined time period, the displayon the large display 108 is deleted, and the process returns to stepS23.

As described above, according to this embodiment, arrival of a mail anda portion of the content of the mail are displayed on the small displayprovided in front of an eye of the user, and in addition, arrival of themail is notified to the user by a sound emitted through the earphone,whereby the user can surely be notified about arrival of the mail evenwhen the user fails to notice the display on the small display.

(Embodiment 3)

In embodiment 2 described above, information is notified using a soundin addition to a display on a small display, whereas in embodiment 3,information is notified by a vibration in place of the sound.

FIG. 10 shows an exterior of a wearable information notifying deviceaccording to this embodiment. FIG. 11 shows a user who wears thewearable information notifying device of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is afunctional block diagram of the wearable information notifying device ofFIG. 10. In FIGS. 10 through 12, like elements are denoted by likereference numerals used in FIGS. 1 through 3 of embodiment 1, andtherefore, detailed descriptions thereof are herein omitted. Embodiment3 is different from embodiment 1 in that a headset 12B includes avibrating section 301 for providing a vibration to the head and avibratory notification section 302 for driving the vibrating section 301according to a vibration signal based on information output from theinformation extraction section 104.

An operation of the wearable information notifying device according tothis embodiment which has the above-described structure is describedwith reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13. Here also, we consider acase where the information reception section 101 is connected to awireless public network and receives an electronic mail as externallysupplied information, as described in embodiment 1.

[Step S31]

The manipulation section 103 receives from a user a configuration inputconcerning particulars to be displayed on the small display 107 and avibration control pattern used at the vibrating section 301. Theparticulars which can be input by the user include: selection of themail attribute to be displayed (“sender”, “title”, “degree ofimportance”, “keyword”); the condition for an attribute value of themail attribute to be displayed; the correspondence between the attributevalue of the mail attribute and the character color or background color;and the on/off of a flashing operation in the display; and additionally,the correspondence between the attribute value of the mail attribute andthe vibration pattern. For example, the user can determine theconfiguration such that: the “keyword” is displayed as the mailattribute; characters are displayed in “red” if the “keyword” includes“C”; the display is carried out according to the “flashing operation”;and a vibration is made according to “vibration pattern J”.

[Step S32]

Based on the input at step S31, the control section 102 instructs theinformation reception section 101 to start receiving information andinstructs the information extraction section 104 about the mode forextracting information.

[Step S33]

The information reception section 101 communicates with an external mailserver (not shown) through the wireless public network at apredetermined time interval to receive a newly-arrived electronic mail.Then, the information reception section 101 stores the receivedelectronic mail and sends it to the information extraction section 104.

[Step S34]

Based on the input at step S31, the information extraction section 104extracts the sender, title, degree of importance, or keyword, from theinformation received by the information reception section 101, and sendsto the transmission section 105 a display signal including the extractedinformation and the display attributes concerning the display color andflashing operation. Furthermore, the information extraction section 104selects from among a plurality of vibration patterns previously storedin the main component 11 a vibration pattern which is set so as tocorrespond to the extracted information, and sends the selectedvibration pattern as a vibration signal to the transmission section 105.

[Step S35]

The transmission section 105 transmits the display signal and vibrationsignal extracted at step S34 to the headset 12 by a short-distancewireless.

[Step S36]

The reception section 106 receives the display signal and vibrationsignal transmitted at step S35 by a short-distance wireless.

[Step S37]

The reception section 106 reproduces the display signal received at stepS36 through the small display 107. Furthermore, the reception section106 sends the vibration signal to the vibratory notification section302.

[Step S38]

The vibratory notification section 302 drives the vibrating section 301to vibrate according to the vibration signal.

[Step S39]

The manipulation section 103 receives from the user an instruction todisplay on the large display 108 the mail received and stored at stepS33. If such an instruction is made within a predetermined time period,the process proceeds to step S3A. If not, the process returns to stepS33.

[Step S3A]

Based on the instruction received at step S39, the control section 102instructs the information reception section 101 to perform a display onthe large display 108.

[Step S3B]

The information reception section 101 displays on the large display 108a list of mails received and stored at step S33. When the list isdisplayed, the display can be changed to the content of a selected mail,and when the content of the selected mail is displayed, the display canbe changed to the list, by a manipulation of the user. If a manipulationof the user is not made within a predetermined time period, the displayon the large display 108 is deleted, and the process returns to stepS33.

As described above, according to this embodiment, arrival of a mail anda portion of the content of the mail are displayed on the small displayprovided in front of an eye of the user, and in addition, arrival of themail is notified to the user by a vibration given to the head of theuser, whereby the user can surely be notified about arrival of the maileven in a situation where confirmation by a sound is difficult.

In embodiments 1–3, reception of information is achieved through thewireless public network. However, according to the present inventionreception of information may be achieved through a fixed public network,a television broadcast, a radio broadcast, or other methods. Further, amail is received as information in embodiments 1–3, but according to thepresent invention, other information, such as a news program, a programtable, etc., may be received. Furthermore, a communication between themain component and the headset is established by a short-distancewireless in embodiments 1–3, but according to the present invention, thecommunication may be established through other communication means, suchas a wired communication, an infrared communication, etc. Further still,the information extraction section is provided at the main component inembodiments 1–3, but according to the present invention, the informationextraction section may be provided at the headset.

(Embodiment 4)

In embodiments 1–3 described above, information to be notified isexternally-supplied information. However, in embodiment 4, informationstored in a medium which is inserted in a main component of theinformation notifying device can be notified.

FIG. 14 shows an exterior of a wearable information notifying deviceaccording to this embodiment. In FIG. 14, reference numeral 41 denotes amain component which reads information from a recording medium 43, suchas a DVD, or the like. Reference numeral 42 denotes a headset which isto be worn by a user. The headset 42 has the same appearance as that ofthe headset 12A shown in FIG. 6, i.e., has a shape such that it isattached substantially horizontally at the head of the user by aflexible headband (Katyusha). The headset 42 has a small display 407 atone end of the headband. Further, the headset 42 has an earphone 409which is to be put in the ear of the user.

FIG. 15 shows the wearable information notifying device of FIG. 14 whichis worn by a user. When the user wears the headset 42, the small display407 is placed in front of an eye of the wearer so as to be within theview field of the wearer. The main component 41 is held at a belt, in apocket, or the like, of the user.

FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of the wearable informationnotifying device of FIG. 14. In FIG. 16, reference numeral 401 denotes amedium reproduction section for reproducing information stored in themedium 43; reference numeral 402 denotes a control section forcontrolling the medium reproduction section 401; reference numeral 403denotes a manipulation section which receives a manipulation for thecontrol section 402 from a user; reference numeral 404 denotes atransmission section for transmitting information reproduced by themedium reproduction section 401 to the headset 42; reference numeral 405denotes a reception section for receiving information from the maincomponent 41; reference numeral 406 denotes an information extractionsection for extracting a portion of the information received by thereception section 405 for display on the small display 407; andreference numeral 408 denotes a sound conversion section for convertingthe information received by the reception section 405 to a sound.

An operation of the wearable information notifying device according tothis embodiment which has the above-described structure is describedwith reference to the flowchart of FIG. 17. Here, we consider a casewhere the medium reproduction section 401 reproduces music and song datarecorded on a SD (Secure Disk), or the like.

[Step S41]

The manipulation section 403 receives from a user a configuration inputconcerning particulars to be displayed on the small display 407. Theparticulars which can be input by the user include selection of whetheror not to display each of the song attributes (“track number”, “artistname”, “song name”, “lyrics”). The manipulation section 403 receives acontrol manipulation, such as start/stop of reproduction, etc., from theuser.

[Step S42]

The control section 402 instructs the medium reproduction section 401 to20 start reproduction based on the input made at step S41.

[Step S43]

The transmission section 404 transmits the information reproduced atstep S42 to the headset 42 by a short-distance wireless.

[Step S44]

The reception section 405 receives the information transmitted at stepS43 through the short-distance wireless.

[Step S45]

The reception section 405 sends the information received at step S44 tothe information extraction section 406 and the sound conversion section408.

[Step S46]

The information extraction section 406 extracts from the informationreceived at step S44 a piece of information to be displayed, anddisplays the extracted information on the small display 407. FIG. 18 isa display example shown on the small display 407.

[Step S47]

The sound conversion section 408 extracts sound information from theinformation received at step S44. The sound conversion section 408 thenconverts the extracted information to a sound signal and reproduces thesound signal through the earphone 409.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a portion ofinformation stored in a medium is displayed on a small display providedin front of an eye of a user, whereby the user can easily confirmadditional information which is provided when the user reproduces themedium.

In this embodiment, a communication between the main component and theheadset is established by a short-distance wireless, but according tothe present invention, the communication may be established throughother communication means, such as wired communication means, infraredcommunication means, etc.

(Embodiment 5)

In embodiment 5, information received from a plurality of devices areselectively displayed. FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram of awearable information notifying device according this embodiment. In FIG.19, like elements are denoted by like reference numerals used in FIGS. 3and 16, and therefore, detailed descriptions thereof are herein omitted.In the headset 52, reference numeral 505 denotes a reception section forreceiving information from the main components 11 and 41; referencenumeral 506 denotes an information selection section for selecting fromthe information received by the reception section 505 a piece(s) ofinformation to be displayed or reproduced; reference numeral 508 denotesa sound conversion section for converting the information received bythe reception section 505 to a sound; reference numeral 507 denotes asmall display for displaying information; and reference numeral 509denotes a earphone 509 for reproducing the sound.

An operation of the wearable information notifying device according tothis embodiment which has the above-described structure is described.Herein, details about the reproduction of music and the display of songinformation are the same as those described in embodiment 4. Further,herein assume that an emergency mail, or the like, is arrived at theinformation reception section 101 during reproduction of music. At thistime, previously-set information is extracted from the arrived mail bythe information extraction section 104, and the extracted information isreceived by the reception section 505 through the transmission section105. In the case where reception of mails has priority over reproductionof music, the content of the mail received by the reception section 505is selected by the information selection section 506, and the display ofthe small display is changed to the content of the mail from the songinformation. The subsequent part of the process is the same as that ofembodiment 1, and therefore, descriptions thereof are omitted.

With the above arrangement, information received from a plurality ofdevices can be selectively displayed on the small display in anintegrated fashion. A user can control a plurality of devices or checkthe status of the plurality of devices through a single display only bysetting the priority of information.

In this embodiment, the communication between the main component and theheadset is established by a short-distance wireless, but according tothe present invention, the communication may be established throughother communication means, such as wired communication means, infraredcommunication means, etc.

(Embodiment 6)

In the above-described embodiments, a small display is provided in frontof an eye of a user. Therefore, if information is suddenly displayed onthe small display, the user may be astonished at and upset about thesudden display. For example, there is a problem in safety if a notice ofarrival of a mail, or the like, is suddenly displayed on the smalldisplay while the user wearing a headset is driving a car. Further,since the eyes of a user in a dimmed place, e.g., a public place, suchas a movie theater, a museum, or the like, are adjusted to the dimnessof his/her surroundings, it is difficult for the user to confirminformation if the information is suddenly displayed with higherbrightness on the small display provided in front of the eye of theuser. Embodiment 6 of the present invention solves such problems.

FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram of a wearable informationnotifying device according this embodiment. In FIG. 20, like elementsare denoted by like reference numerals used in FIG. 3, and therefore,detailed descriptions thereof are herein omitted. Embodiment 6 isdifferent from embodiment 1 in that a headset 12C includes a displaycontrol section 601 for controlling the display mode of the smalldisplay 107 according to a given control signal, and an environmentdetection section 602 for detecting the state of the environment aroundthe headset 12C to supply the control signal to the display controlsection 601 according to the detected environmental state.

Herein, assume that the environment detection section 602 detects thebrightness of the surroundings of the headset 12C. The display controlsection 601 controls the brightness of the small display 107 accordingto the brightness detected by the environment detection section 602. Forexample, the display control section 601 previously stores the tableshown in FIG. 21 and selects the display mode for the small display 107according to the brightness of the surroundings which is detected by theenvironment detection section 602. The other part of the operation isthe same as that of embodiment 1.

In the case where the surroundings are dim, information is displayedaccording to the dimness of the surroundings. On the other hand, in thecase where the surroundings are bright, information is displayedaccording to the brightness of the surroundings. With such a structure,the user can confirm the information without imposing a burden onhis/her eyes.

It should be noted that the environment detection section 602 may beprovided in the main component 11.

Alternatively, the state of an environmental feature other than thebrightness may be detected. For example, the noise of the surroundingsmay be detected by the environment detection section 602. In general, auser is unlikely to notice externally-supplied information when theexternal noise is large. Therefore, when the external noise is large,information is displayed with higher brightness as compared with normaldisplay, or a presented display is blinked, in order to surely notifythe user about the information.

Alternatively, in the case where a large number of words uttered by auser are detected by the environment detection section 602, it may bedetermined that the user is engaged in a conversation with somebody, andthe timing of providing information may be delayed. With such anarrangement, information can be presented on the small display withoutinhibiting a communication of the user with somebody else.

Alternatively, a vibration may be detected by the environment detectionsection 602 using a gyro, or the like. In the case where it isdetermined from the pattern of the detected vibration that a user iswalking or running, the timing of providing information may be delayed.

In the structure shown in FIG. 20, the environment detection section 602is provided in the headset. Instead, environmental information detectedby environment detection means which is provided outside the wearableinformation notifying device may be received by wireless or wirednetwork, and the display mode of the small display 107 may be controlledaccording to the received environmental information. FIG. 22 shows sucha structure wherein an environmental information reception section 603,which receives environmental information from outside and provides acontrol signal to the display control section 601 according to thereceived environmental information, is provided in place of theenvironment detection section 602 of FIG. 20.

Here, we consider a case where a user is driving a car, and theenvironmental information reception section 603 receives the currentvelocity of the car as the environmental information from a sensor ofthe car. Further, at step S17 of embodiment 1, the display controlsection 601 does not activate the small display 107 while the car ismoving, but activates the small display 107 when the velocity of the caris decreased to zero or a sufficiently slow speed. With such anarrangement, the small display 107 is activated only when the velocityof the car is decreased and sufficient safety is secured. Thus, there isno problem in safety.

Further, not only the velocity of the car but also activation of a sidebrake or stoppage of an engine may be detected, and information may bedisplayed at such a timing.

Furthermore, by using information obtained from a GPS, or the like, orinformation obtained from a gyro, information to be displayed on thesmall display may be restricted, for example, when a user is moving(driving or walking).

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 23, a driving mechanism 604, such as asmall motor, may be provided for shifting the small display 107 betweena position in front of an eye of a wearer and a position not in front ofthe eye of the wearer. With such a mechanism, for example, the smalldisplay 107 is provided in front of the eye only when there isinformation necessary for the user, but is removed out of the view fieldof the user when not so as not to block the view field of the userduring his/her everyday life activity.

FIG. 24 is a functional block diagram of a wearable informationnotifying device used in this example. According to the structure ofFIG. 24, the headset 12E includes a drive control section 605 forcontrolling the operation of the driving mechanism 604 according toinformation output from the information extraction section 104 andreceived by the reception section 106. Further, the drive controlsection 605 controls the operation of the driving mechanism 604 whileadditionally considering the environmental information received by theenvironmental information reception section 603.

Specifically, only when information necessary for the user is receivedand sufficient safety is secured even with provision of information tothe user, the drive control section 605 drives the driving mechanism 604to provide the small display 107 in front of the eye of the user. Thatis, when the user is driving a car, or the like, and there is not anyparticular information necessary for the user, the small display 107 ismoved away from the position in front of the eye of the user such thatthe view field of the user is not blocked. Only when informationnecessary for the user is received, and sufficient safety is securedeven with provision of information to the user (e.g., when the car isstopped), the small display 107 is provided in front of the eye of theuser to present the information to the user.

That is, the headset having the small display described herein includes:the driving mechanism capable of shifting the small display between theposition in front of the eye of the wearer and the position not in frontof the eye of the wearer; the reception section for receivinginformation from outside and outputting the received information to thesmall display; and a drive control section for controlling the operationof the driving mechanism based on the information received by thereception section.

For example, whether or not the received information is necessary forthe user may be determined as described below. A keyword related to aninterest of the user, e.g., “professional baseball”, is previouslyregistered in the drive control section 605. The driving mechanism 604is set to operate when information related to the keyword “professionalbaseball” is received. With such an arrangement, the driving mechanism604 is not activated when information related to a genre other than the“professional baseball”, e.g., economy news, soccer, etc., is received,and the information is not presented to the user.

Further still, as shown in FIG. 25, the headset may be designed suchthat the small display 107 is slidable back and forth. With such adesign, the headset may be adjusted for users having different headsizes.

(Embodiment 7)

In embodiments 1–3 described above, when a mail from outside is arrived,a portion of information contained in the mail is displayed on a smalldisplay. However, the information to be displayed on the small displaymay be a content of a TV broadcast, such as news, or the like. In thiscase, there is a possibility that if the user concentrates too much onwatching the content, understanding by the user of the state of his/hersurroundings is delayed. For example, in the case where the user iswatching a content displayed on the small display provided in front ofthe eye during his/her movement by a transportation service, such astrain, bus, or the like, there is a possibility that the user may toomuch concentrate on the content to miss the station or bus stop ofhis/her destination. This embodiment was conceived in order to solvesuch a problem.

FIG. 26 is a functional block diagram showing a structure of a wearableinformation notifying device according to this embodiment. In FIG. 26, aheadset 12F includes an external information reception section 701,which is employed as a second information reception section, and aninformation synthesizing section 702. The information synthesizingsection 702 displays on the small display 107 first information, e.g., aTV broadcast program, which is received by the information receptionsection 101 employed as the first information reception section of themain component 11. Further, when second information concerning theservice status of the transportation service that the wearer currentlyuses, such as bus, train, or the like, is received by the externalinformation reception section 701, the information synthesizing section702 synthesizes the second information with the first information anddisplays the synthesized information on the small display 107.

For example, as shown in FIG. 27, when information about arrival at atrain station is obtained by the external information reception section701 while a news program is displayed, the information is synthesizedfor display using a telop, or the like. With such an arrangement, evenwhen the user concentrates too much on the information displayed on thesmall display 107 so that he/she misses hearing an in-trainannouncement, the user can confirm the content of the announcementthrough the small display 107.

Further, as shown in FIG. 28, the external information reception section701 and the information synthesizing section 702 may be provided in amain component 11A.

That is, the wearable information notifying device described hereinincludes: a headset having a small display which can be provided infront of an eye of a wearer, a first information reception section whichcommunicates with an external device to receive first information; asecond information reception section which communicates with an externaldevice to receive second information; and an information synthesizingsection which displays the first information on the small display andwhich synthesizes the second information with the first information todisplay the synthesized information on the small display when the secondinformation is received by the second information reception section.

It is preferable that the first information is a TV broadcast program,and the second information is information concerning the service statusof the transportation service that the wearer utilizes.

(Embodiment 8)

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the small display 107 is fixed in front of an eye of auser with a supporting bar which is looped around the back of the head.However, the means for fixing the small display is not limited to this.

FIG. 29 shows an arrangement where clip-like fixing means 801 isattached to the small display 107. With the fixing means 801, the smalldisplay 107 can be provided at a position where a user can easily viewthe small display 107 according to the place or situation where the useris in. For example, when the user is out of the door, the small display107 can be attached to the brim of a cap, or the like. In one possibleexample, the user watches a game of an outdoor sport, such as a baseballgame, but all the information provided to the main component of thecommunication device is not shown on the small display 107. For example,the user previously selects the team he/she likes. According to thissetting, information for batters is displayed on the small display 107when the selected team plays offense, and information for the pitcherand field players is displayed on the small display 107 when theselected team plays defense.

In the case where the small display 107 is fixed using a horizontalsupporting bar around the head as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, informationcan be confirmed by any one of the eyes. However, after intentlywatching the information provided on the small display 107, the one eyemay be fatigued. Further, when the face of the user moves in a verticaldirection, the small display 107 accordingly swings in a verticaldirection so that it becomes difficult for the user to confirm theinformation.

In order to eliminate such a problem, the small display 107 is fixedusing a vertical supporting bar 802 provided over the head as shown inFIG. 30. With such an arrangement, information provided on the smalldisplay 107 can be confirmed by both of the eyes. Further, anundesirable swing of the small display 107, which can be caused by avertical movement of the head, is reduced.

(Embodiment 9)

FIG. 31 shows an exterior of a headset according to embodiment 9 of thepresent invention. FIG. 32 shows a user who wears a wearable informationnotifying device including the headset of FIG. 31. The headset 90 shownin FIG. 31 includes: a headband(Katyusha)-shape base member 91 which canbe fixed around the head of a human such that it is looped around theback of the head from one side portion to the other side portion of thehead; a camera 92 which is provided at one end of the base member 91;and a small display 93 which is provided at the other end of the basemember 91. When the user wears the headset 90 by fixing the base member91 to his/her head, the camera 92 can capture an image from an area infront of the user, and the small display 93 is provided in front of aneye of the user. Reference numeral 95 denotes a main component whichcommunicates with an external device to receive information.

Further, the headset 90 of FIG. 31 is designed for use with both of theeyes. That is, the small display 93 is provided in front of the left eyeif the headset 90 shown in FIG. 31 is worn as it is, but the smalldisplay 93 is provided in front of the right eye if the headset 90 shownin FIG. 31 is worn upside down. Furthermore, the headset 90 includes anupside/downside detection section 94, such as a gyro or mercury switch,for detecting the upside/downside of the headset 90. It is possible todetermine the upside/downside of an image shown on the small display 93from a detection result of the upside/downside detection section 94.Thus, the user can wear the headset 90 without especially consideringthe left side/right side of the headset 90.

FIG. 33 is a functional block diagram of a wearable informationnotifying device according to this embodiment. In FIG. 33, the smallcamera 92 provided to the headset 90 captures image information from anarea at which a user is looking. The upside/downside detection section94 detects the upside/downside of the headset 90 and outputs thedetection result as an upside/downside signal SUD. The upside/downsidesignal SUD represents whether the position of the small camera 92 is atthe right-hand side or left-hand side of the user and whether theposition of the small display 93 is at the right-eye side or left-eyeside of the user. An image transmission section 901 adds theupside/downside signal SUD to the image signal captured by the smallcamera 92 and transmits the resultant image signal.

In the main component 95, an image reception section 903 receives theimage signal transmitted from the image transmission section 901, whichincludes the upside/downside signal SUD added thereto. An imageaccumulation section 904 accumulates the received image signal accordingto a manipulation of the manipulation section 902 by the user. At thisstep, the accumulation is performed while considering theupside/downside of the headset 90 which is represented by theupside/downside signal SUD. Specifically, when the upside/downsidesignal SUD represents that the headset 90 is worn upside down, the imagesignal is accumulated upside down. An image transmission section 905transmits the image signal accumulated in the image accumulation section904. Even in the case where the image signal is not accumulated, theimage transmission section 905 processes the image signal whileconsidering the upside/downside represented by the upside/downsidesignal SUD and transmits the processed image.

In the headset 90, an image reception section 906 receives the imagesignal transmitted from the image transmission section 905 and, on theother hand, receives the upside/downside signal SUD from theupside/downside detection section 94. Then, the image reception section906 determines the upside/downside of the received image signal andreproduces the image signal on the small display 93. That is, when theupside/downside signal SUD represents that the headset 90 is worn upsidedown, the received image signal is displayed upside down on the smalldisplay 93

With such a feature, information is displayed on the small display 93such that, as illustrated in FIG. 34, the user can always view the imagewith the right side up regardless of whether the headset 90 is worn forthe left eye or the right eye. Further, in the case of accumulating theimage, an image can be stored with the right side up for the user'sview.

That is, the headset described herein includes: a headband-shape basemember which can be fixed around the head of a human such that it islooped around the back of the head from one side portion to the otherside portion of the head; a camera which is provided at one end of thebase member and which can capture an image from an area in front of theuser when the base member is fixed to the head; and a small displaywhich is provided at the other end of the base member and which isprovided in front of an eye of the human when the base member is fixedto the head.

Furthermore, the headset preferably includes: an upside/downsidedetection section which detects the upside/downside of the headset andoutputs the detection result as an upside/downside signal; an imagetransmission section which adds the upside/downside signal output fromthe upside/downside detection section to the image signal captured bythe camera and transmits the resultant image signal to an externaldevice; an image reception section which receives an image signal froman external device and sets the upside/downside of the image signalaccording to the upside/downside signal output from the upside/downsidedetection section so as to be displayed on the small display.

In the headset of this embodiment, the small display 93 is not providedsuch that it blocks all the view field of the user. Thus, an imagecaptured by the small camera 92 is displayed on the small display 93 asshown in FIG. 35, whereby the user can confirm the captured image whileconfirming the state of his/her surroundings. Conventionally, in thecase of capturing an image with a video camera, or the like, the head ofthe user moves for performing a task of confirming an area to which thecamera is directed by viewing a liquid crystal screen and a task ofconfirming the state of his/her surroundings, and therefore in manycases, a camera shake occurs in the captured image. However, in the caseof capturing an image using the headset of this embodiment, the user canconfirm the captured image and the state of his/her surroundings at thesame time only by changing his/her sightline. Thus, it is possible toreduce the camera shake in the captured image.

As described above, according to the present invention, arrival of amail, music information, etc., is displayed on a display provided infront of an eye, whereby the information can be confirmed in ahands-free manner, and information obtained from a plurality of devicescan be controlled in an integrated fashion. Furthermore, an indicationof arrival of a mail is displayed on a wearable display, whereby thecontent of the mail can readily be confirmed without taking out acellular phone. Thus, the user can instantly confirm arrival of the mailwithout being noticed by a person he/she faces, and in addition, canconfirm other information, such as the degree of importance of thereceived mail, etc.

1. A wearable information notifying device, comprising: a headset havinga small display which can be provided in front of an eye of a wearer; aninformation reception section for communicating with an external deviceto receive information; an information extraction section for extractinga portion of the information received by the information receptionsection which is to be displayed on the small display; wherein theheadset includes a display control section for controlling the displaymode of the small display according to a given control signal; andfurther comprising an environment detection section for detecting anenvironmental state around the headset and supplying the control signalto the display control section according to the detected environmentalstate.
 2. The wearable information notifying device according to claim1, wherein the environment detection section detects the brightness ofsurroundings as the environmental state.
 3. A wearable informationnotifying device, comprising: a headset having a small display which canbe provided in front of an eye of a wearer; an information receptionsection for communicating with an external device to receiveinformation; an information extraction section for extracting a portionof the information received by the information reception section whichis to be displayed on the small display; wherein the headset includes adisplay control section for controlling the display mode of the smalldisplay according to a given control signal; and further comprising anenvironmental information reception section for receiving environmentalinformation which represents an environmental state around the headsetand supplying the control signal to the display control sectionaccording to the received environmental information.
 4. The wearableinformation notifying device according to claim 3, wherein theenvironmental information reception section receives the velocity of acar driven by the human as the environmental information.
 5. A wearableinformation notifying device, comprising: a headset having a smalldisplay which can be provided in front of an eye of a wearer; aninformation reception section for communicating with an external networkto receive information; an information extraction section for extractinga portion of the information received by the information receptionsection which is to be displayed on the small display; and anenvironmental information acquisition section for acquiringenvironmental information which represents an environmental state aroundthe headset and supplying the acquired environmental information to theheadset; wherein the headset includes a driving mechanism for shiftingthe small display between a first position in front of the eye of thewearer and a second position not in front of the eye of the wearer andnot blocking the wearer's view, and a drive control section forcontrolling an operation of the driving mechanism such that the smalldisplay is shifted from the second position to the first position whenthe information output from the information extraction section includespreviously registered information, wherein the drive control sectionreceives the environmental information from the environmentalinformation acquisition section and controls a timing of the operationof the driving mechanism according to the environmental information. 6.The wearable information notifying device according to claim 5, furthercomprising an environmental information reception section for receivingenvironmental information which represents an environmental state aroundthe headset and supplying the received environmental information to thedrive control section, wherein the drive control section controls theoperation of the driving mechanism while additionally considering theenvironmental information.
 7. The wearable information notifying deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the environmental information isinformation about a running state of a vehicle which the wearer drives,and the drive control section waits to perform the operation of thedriving mechanism when it is determined from the environmentalinformation that the vehicle is running.
 8. The wearable informationnotifying device according to claim 5, wherein the environmentalinformation is information about a vibration of the wearer, and thedrive control section waits to perform the operation of the drivingmechanism when it is determined from the environmental information thatthe wearer is walking or running.